The DVLA has blocked more than 400 number plate combinations from appearing on British roads ahead of major changes on March 1.
The new “26” number plate will adorn new cars next month, although the DVLA has taken action to remove plates that could include offensive statements.
Among the prohibited combinations are FU26 KER, AS26 HOL and SC26 TUM, alongside slurs such as TR26 NNY, LE26 ZER and FA26 OTT.
The DVLA routinely withholds registrations deemed offensive, provocative or otherwise inappropriate for public display.
This latest batch includes 403 blocked plates representing “one of the larger lists compiled” for a new registration series, with the DVLA tasked with preventing potentially harmful combinations from being sold.
The blocked registrations span a wide range of sensitive categories, encompassing references to criminal activity, violent acts, religious matters, sexual content, weaponry, racist terminology and sexist language.
Combinations alluding to violence and warfare have been specifically targeted, with TE26 ROR and GO26 WAR among those removed from availability.
Meanwhile, religious sensitivities also feature prominently, with JE26 HAD blocked due to its visual similarity to the word “Jihad”.
Number plates can be banned by the DVLA for causing offence to others | PA/DVLA
Gender identity and sexual orientation references have also been excluded from the permitted DVLA list ahead of the March 1 release date.
The agency said its approach extends beyond explicitly offensive terms, with the authority removing any combination bearing even a passing resemblance to inappropriate language.
Insults and derogatory terms form another substantial portion of the prohibited registrations, reflecting the breadth of potentially problematic combinations the agency must consider.
Political considerations have also shaped the banned list, with both UKR and RUS combinations prohibited from the new series.
The DVLA banned more than 400 number plates earlier this year
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GETTYNotably, several variations ending in OMB have been blocked using a wildcard system, where an asterisk in the combination means any letter or digit appearing in that position will result in the plate being withheld.
This wildcard approach allows the DVLA to comprehensively block all “bomb” references regardless of the preceding characters.
A registration plate can be blocked if there is a slight resemblance to problematic terminology, with the DVLA taking a more cautious approach when assessing potentially controversial combinations for public use.
Mark Trimbee, chief executive of Regtransfers, commented on the DVLA’s role in filtering out problematic registrations.
The new ’26’ and ’76’ number plates will be released in March and September this year | GETTY
He said: “The release of new number plates is always an exciting time for us, as it brings a fresh wave of fun, appealing and valuable combinations to our roads.
“Sadly, it also brings a new horde of combinations that are considered a bit too risky to allow out into the public.
“The DVLA have an unfortunate role to play, and while some might see this as them being ‘killjoys’, they do have the responsibility to keep people safe from offensive, derogatory and provocative plates.”
He noted that despite the extensive banned list, plenty of desirable combinations would still be available when the new series launches.